National reports have found that returning veterans could benefit from more mental health and other support services. Also, a study released in the Aug. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found that combat veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan have more drinking problems than veterans who were not deployed to combat zones.

EMU's Perry Francis, coordinator of counseling services in the College of Education and an associate professor of counseling, talked with The News about the clinic's plans.

Perry Francis: He's managing counseling services for people returning from or headed to combat zones.

Q: What kind of services will the counseling clinic offer?

A: There's a natural need for our clinic to provide mental health services. We're a training clinic under the supervision of faculty who are licensed professionals who can provide that service to soldiers and at the same time, help our students provide services to the public.

We'll provide short-term counseling. We'll provide services for those who are coming back home and those who are being deployed. We'll help with preparing to separate from family. We'll talk about "what am I leaving behind?" We'll talk about stress reduction techniques that are best suited for you. (For those returning home), we'll provide help in making the reconnection with family.

Counseling Clinic information

Eastern Michigan University College of Education's Counseling Clinic will begin accepting clients the second week of September.

A: Families members are welcomed at no cost. We would also like to be there to help a spouse prepare for a husband or wife who is about to be deployed.

Q: Will EMU students also provide counseling at the clinic?

A: Yes. Our counselors-in-training are advanced students in our master's degree program in counseling. They have completed the majority of their classroom work and completed two full courses in the necessary skills to provide a good, therapeutic relationship with clients. They are already in their practicum providing services to the general public. Our clinic services are not just for Eastern Michigan University, but the greater Washtenaw County community and beyond. We provide services for the public on a sliding-fee scale and services to members of the armed services are free.

Q: An article you read inspired you to recommend the clinic offer services to veterans?

A: There's an article by (Pauline) Jelinek, Associated Press (reporter) about private therapists offering free counseling to veterans. The idea behind that is the VA (U.S. Veterans Administration) is overwhelmed as well as the military bases are overwhelmed with returning veterans who are seeking mental health services at a greater rate than they have ever seen before. ... In 10 years, we've seen a complete shift from mental health services as a career-stopper to pushing mental health services to soldiers and their families. Today's Army wants soldiers to seek mental health services.